Around the Table of the King

In our most recent communion service at Grace Church we sang the following song as the elements were being passed out. It's a song co-written by Stuart Townend and Keith and Kristyn Getty entitled "Behold the Lamb (Communion Hymn)." The last line of the chorus, "Around the table of the King," always gets me though, and so wins the title of the blog post.

What a great reality to ponder! We have such sweet, intimate fellowship with our Savior, whom we killed and deserved nothing of, that we can be described as eating Him as the Bread of Life (Jn 6:51) and drinking Him as the Water of Life (Jn 4:10, 13-14; 7:37-38), whose blood is true drink (Jn 6:55-56), in whose blood are all the blessings of the New Covenant (Lk 22:20; cf. Jer 31:31-34; Ezek 36:25-27). And we enjoy such fellowship "around the table of the King." We were rebels -- treasonous, murderous enemies of this King. And now we celebrate our reconciliation with Him around His own lavish table! Praise be to God for His glorious grace!

Behold the Lamb who bears our sins away,
Slain for us: and we remember
The promise made that all who come in faith
Find forgiveness at the cross.

So we share in this Bread of life,
And we drink of His sacrifice,
As a sign of our bonds of peace
Around the table of the King.

The body of our Savior, Jesus Christ,
Torn for you: eat and remember
The wounds that heal, the death that brings us life,
Paid the price to make us one.

So we share in this Bread of life,
And we drink of His sacrifice,
As a sign of our bonds of love
Around the table of the King.

The blood that cleanses every stain of sin,
Shed for you: drink and remember
He drained death’s cup that all may enter in
To receive the life of God.

So we share in this Bread of life,
And we drink of His sacrifice,
As a sign of our bonds of grace
Around the table of the King.

And so with thankfulness and faith
We rise to respond: and to remember.
Our call to follow in the steps of Christ
As His body here on earth.

As we share in His suffering,
We proclaim: Christ will come again!
And we’ll join in the feast of heaven
Around the table of the King!

And when He had taken some bread and given thanks,
He broke it and gave it to them, saying,
"This is My body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of Me."
And in the same way He took the cup
after they had eaten, saying,
"This cup which is poured out for you
is the new covenant in My blood."
- Luke 22:19-20 -